Chapter Summary: The Shame of the NationChapter 5: The Road to Rome
Chapter 5 Summary - Caterina, Matt, Craig
In Chapter 5 Kozol gets a lot of different opinions from teachers and students about standardized testing. He does not agree with standardized testing because he thinks there is too much pressure on urban schools to perform on these tests and if they don't, they are just left to die, which is the opposite of why standardized testing is required. They are being taught and prepared for the tests and nothing else.
1. What is the significance of the chapter's title?
The Road to Rome - "If the road does not lead to Rome, we don't want it followed."
The right road is not just preparing for tests, but the road to Rome is educating the kids and not just forcing standardized tests. The road to Rome is giving them a chance to learn. He also talks about how students only know the information that is going to be on the tests and they don't learn additional information beyond that.
2. What historical events, terms, ideas, or concepts are mentioned in this chapter that you feel you need to understand more clearly in order to fully appreciate the text?
3. What questions does this chapter lead you to ask about public schools in Rhode Island?
4. What questions does this chapter make you ask about current trends, issues, and or reform strategies that are happening currently in American public schools?
5. If we could ask Rhode Island teachers some questions about school conditions, what might we ask them based on this chapter?
How do you feel about standardized tests?
How do standardized tests preparation differ from normal test preparation?
How do standardized tests effect the way you teach?
What do you find more effective or more important (preparing them for standardized tests or teaching them on the subjects)?
Do you feel standardized tests really show how the students perform?
Question for class discussion:
What questions does this chapter make you ask about current trends, issues, and or reform strategies that are happening currently in American public schools?
Chapter 5 Summary - Caterina, Matt, Craig
In Chapter 5 Kozol gets a lot of different opinions from teachers and students about standardized testing. He does not agree with standardized testing because he thinks there is too much pressure on urban schools to perform on these tests and if they don't, they are just left to die, which is the opposite of why standardized testing is required. They are being taught and prepared for the tests and nothing else.1. What is the significance of the chapter's title?
The Road to Rome - "If the road does not lead to Rome, we don't want it followed."The right road is not just preparing for tests, but the road to Rome is educating the kids and not just forcing standardized tests. The road to Rome is giving them a chance to learn. He also talks about how students only know the information that is going to be on the tests and they don't learn additional information beyond that.
2. What historical events, terms, ideas, or concepts are mentioned in this chapter that you feel you need to understand more clearly in order to fully appreciate the text?
3. What questions does this chapter lead you to ask about public schools in Rhode Island?
4. What questions does this chapter make you ask about current trends, issues, and or reform strategies that are happening currently in American public schools?
5. If we could ask Rhode Island teachers some questions about school conditions, what might we ask them based on this chapter?
How do you feel about standardized tests?How do standardized tests preparation differ from normal test preparation?
How do standardized tests effect the way you teach?
What do you find more effective or more important (preparing them for standardized tests or teaching them on the subjects)?
Do you feel standardized tests really show how the students perform?
Question for class discussion:
What questions does this chapter make you ask about current trends, issues, and or reform strategies that are happening currently in American public schools?